Episodes
April 28, 2025
Defunding Science Due To DEI: What It Means for Canada
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) have become integral components of Canadian science funding. In this episode, we explore Pierre Poilievre's plan to strip funding from research programs that incorporate so-called "woke" policies like EDI. We...
April 24, 2025
US Opens Up Marine Protected Areas to Fishing: What This Means for Ocean Conservation
Fisheries: In this episode, we see the surprising news that the U.S. government is opening up parts of its marine protected areas (MPAs) to commercial fishing. This rollback of protections in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument has...
April 22, 2025
AI-Powered Conservation: The Future of Coral Reef Protection with Andy Ridley
Great Barrier Reef bleaching is accelerating at a dangerous pace, and yet, hope rises from a unique blend of technology, data, and collective action. In this powerful episode, Andrew talks to Andy Ridley, the founding CEO of Citizens of the Reef,...
April 20, 2025
How McKnsea Balances Her Marine Career and Content Creation to Inspire Ocean Advocacy
Ocean conservation is more than a job—it’s a calling. In this episode, we sit down with McKenzie Margereth, known online as McKnsea, who shares her inspiring journey of making bold career decisions in marine biology while becoming a powerful voice...
April 17, 2025
Coral Restoration In Trouble: Why Saving Reefs Takes More Planting Coral
Coral restoration is often seen as a beacon of hope for our oceans—but are we putting too much faith in it? In this episode, we dive into why coral bleaching has become an annual event, especially on the Great Barrier Reef, and whether restoration...
April 15, 2025
Rebuilding Fisheries in Canada: Capelin Biomass Falling Yet Fishing Stays Open
Rebuilding fisheries in Canada: Capelin biomass is only at 16% of its pre-collapse level, which spells disaster for northern cod's recovery. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin breaks down the troubling state of Canada’s...
April 13, 2025
Shark Communication: Graduate Studies, Sharks Science, and TikTok with Kenzie Horton
Shark communication is critical in changing their "man-eating" reputation from the movie Jaws. Sharks need protection so telling people about the wonders of sharks is essential. Marine biology is more than just a job — it’s a lifestyle driven by...
April 9, 2025
Dire Wolf Brought Back? The Wild Science and Ethics of De-Extinction
De-extinction is no longer just science fiction. In this episode, we dive into the controversial concept of bringing back extinct species—specifically the dire wolf—using cutting-edge genetic engineering. Inspired by the headline-grabbing efforts...
April 8, 2025
Rare Intersex Southern Right Whale Discovered Through Genetic Testing
Intersex marine mammals are an exceptionally rare topic in marine biology, and in this episode, we dive into a groundbreaking discovery of an intersex southern right whale. The whale, sampled in 1989, was recently found to possess XY chromosomes...
April 6, 2025
Why the US Might Start Deep Sea Mining (And What It Means for the Ocean)
Deep sea mining is making headlines as the United States considers allowing operations within its boundaries. In this episode, Andrew Lewin dives into a recent development involving a Canadian company, The Metals Company, that is pushing to mine the...
April 3, 2025
Seafood Laws and Ocean Justice: How Legal Frameworks Shape the Future of Fisheries
Fisheries are more than just the act of catching fish—they’re tightly woven into the fabric of science, activism, and community livelihoods. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we speak with Eva van Heukelom about the many layers of...
April 1, 2025
Ocean Conservation Career Is Not A Straight Path...and that's okay
Ocean conservation careers often don’t follow a predictable path—and that’s completely normal. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin shares why expecting a traditional, linear route in marine biology or conservation can...
March 30, 2025
Why Talking About the Ocean in Everyday Life Can Save It
Ocean conversations matter more than we think. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explores how the simple act of bringing up marine topics in everyday conversations—with friends, at restaurants, during social gatherings—can...
March 27, 2025
How D and D Can Help with Environmental Education Through Immersive Learning
D and D can help with environmental education by creating immersive, story-driven learning experiences that engage students on a deeper level. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Andrew Thaler, who’s using Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) to teach...
March 25, 2025
Plastic Pollution Research: How Microplastics Threaten Coral Reefs and What We Can Do About It
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing threats to our oceans today. In this episode, we explore how microplastics—tiny fragments of plastic waste—make their way into tropical marine ecosystems and cause lasting damage. Whether it’s...
March 23, 2025
How to Protect Tuna: Insights from ISSF’s Gala Moreno on Sustainable Fisheries
Global tuna fisheries are facing mounting pressure from overfishing, bycatch, and unsustainable fishing practices. Gala Moreno from the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation(ISSF) shares her expert insights on the current state of tuna...
March 20, 2025
Marine Conservation Is In Trouble — Why People Aren’t Concerned About the Ocean
Marine conservation is in trouble — and the biggest problem isn’t just pollution or overfishing. The real issue is that people are becoming disconnected from the ocean, and that lack of concern is threatening marine ecosystems worldwide. In this...
March 14, 2025
False Killer Whale Stranding in Tasmania – Why It Happened and What We Can Learn
False killer whale strandings in Tasmania are rare; however, on February 20, 2025, approximately 157 whales stranded and passed away, with at least 99 being euthanized after multiple attempts to float them back into the ocean failed. In this episode...
March 11, 2025
How the Panama Canal Expansion is Threatening Panama’s Ecosystem and Water Supply
The Panama Canal expansion allowed bigger ships to move through the canal; however, it also allowed an invasion of saltwater and saltwater fish into a freshwater lake, which threatened freshwater fish species and half of the country's drinking water....
March 9, 2025
Protecting Manta Rays from Over-Tourism in Hawaii – Martina Wing’s Mission
How is the rise in tourism affecting manta rays in Hawaii? Martina Wing shares her firsthand experience with the challenges of growing tourism and its impact on manta ray populations. Learn how Martina is working to protect these majestic creatures...
March 7, 2025
How NOAA and EPA Layoffs Threaten Environmental Research and Public Safety
In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we dive into the recent layoffs at NOAA and EPA, which have led to over a thousand scientists and environmental professionals losing their jobs. What does this mean for climate research, weather...
March 4, 2025
How Bahamian Music and Education Inspire Ocean Conservation
How do you get people interested in learning about the ocean? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we speak with Bahamian artist and educator Javan Hunt, who combines music and education to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards....
March 3, 2025
How Much Do We Rely on Weather Forecasting? | The Truth About Weather Predictions
How much do we truly depend on weather forecasting? Whether it’s planning our daily commute, scheduling outdoor events, or making critical decisions for agriculture and disaster preparedness, we rely on meteorologists and weather models more than we...
Feb. 28, 2025
Are all protected areas in the ocean equal? A study on the bonus species protection
Are OECMs (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures) just as effective as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in protecting biodiversity? In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we break down the differences, benefits, and challenges of OECMs,...